In order to expand air protection over shipments of military equipment to Ukraine, the Netherlands and Norway have deployed their F-35A fighters to bases in Poland since August 29, with the mission expected to last for the next three months. The arrival of the advanced fifth-generation aircraft was accompanied by the transfer of personnel associated with aircraft maintenance, completed just over a week ago, thus forming fully operational detachments.
The news was officially announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, whose statement specified that the deployed aircraft will operate at all times within NATO airspace, while emphasizing that they will remain available 24 hours a day as a Quick Reaction Force to respond to any type of aerial threat. The ministry also noted that the mission is being carried out in response to a request from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, meaning the aircraft sent to Polish territory will be under NATO command.
As the ministry itself expressed in the statement: “The F-35s took off from Volkel Air Base this morning. These fighters have multiple missions, including ensuring the safe arrival of military equipment donated by NATO countries to its destination in Ukraine. To achieve this, the F-35s will remain within NATO’s area of influence. The mission also includes the so-called quick reaction alert. The fighters are ready 24 hours a day to respond quickly to aircraft or other objects entering the airspace without authorization.”
In connection with this, it is worth noting that the mission is also part of NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine program (NSATU), under which the Alliance delivers military equipment to Kyiv and also develops combat training for its forces. Operations are coordinated from the command center located in Wiesbaden, Germany, although it also has numerous logistics hubs at various points in Eastern Europe.
Amsterdam’s contribution to this program is significant and broader than the recent deployment of F-35As. An illustrative example is the planned deployment of NASAMS and Patriot air defense systems to provide protection at Polish training grounds where Ukrainian troops will be trained starting in December. These will be complemented by a range of anti-drone systems to form multiple layers of defense designed to deter Russia from potential attacks.
Cover image: Dutch Ministry of Defense
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